Nigeria denies colluding with France to undermine Niger

The Federal Government has rejected allegations of collusion with France by the Niger Republic as baseless.

The Nigerien military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, had in a video that emerged during the week alleged that Nigeria was working with France to destabilise his country.

However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the claims exist solely in the realm of imagination.

He said Nigeria had never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France or any other country to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise Niger following an undemocratic change of government in the landlocked West African country.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had demonstrated exemplary leadership.

He noted that the president had kept the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging the Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country.

Idris said: “Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.

“Nigeria’s armed forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region.

“It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country.

“Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic.

“Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic.”

He reiterated the government’s full support for senior government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

“Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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“Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil.

“This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership.

“The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive.

“Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project.

“It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted.

“The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless,” he stated.

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